Welcome to this week's episode of the series Let's Know Islam. In this episode, we continue to discuss Imamate and the life of the 12th Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his reappearance). The Infallible Imam is in his Major Occultation until his reappearance by God's instruction, as a result of which he will administer justice and uproot injustices across the world.

Last week, we pointed out that the occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS) does not mean that the Infallible Imam is hiding somewhere and that he is far from people. In fact, he is present among people, observes and knows people, however, people do not recognize him. Now, the question which is raised is how does Imam Mahdi maintain a long life, and is it possible for a human to live a thousand years and even more?

In order to respond to this question, a number of points should he mentioned. Today, mankind has made major accomplishments in delaying the aging process. Mankind has realized the relationship between the type of food mankind eats, and prevention of the aging process in mankind. Some researchers have said that they have discovered the genes, which contribute to eternity of human cells. According to these researchers and scientists; these genes can repair the damaged cells. A group of scientists have concluded that in the future mankind can postpone the aging process for a long while, so that the longevity of individuals would be extended even further.

Generally speaking, there are no boundaries to the duration of human life. No scientist has claimed that a number of certain years define the maximum lifetime of human beings. Biologists, after years of research on the structure and physiology of mankind have concluded that human tissues and cells maintain enormous power and can continue to live for a very long while. Thus, in the view of experimental sciences, maintaining a much longer life is not an impossible task. Thus, scientists are trying to find ways to extend the longevity of mankind. Meanwhile, there are several examples of longevity in the world of nature, such as a kind of fish living in the Atlantic Ocean, whose lifespan is several thousand years, and/or the trees whose age stands at several thousand years.

Religions believe that God determines the boundaries of human life. This means that the one and only creator of the world determines the short life or longevity of mankind. The 11^th ayah of Surat Fatir in Holy Quran notes: "…and no elderly person advances in years, nor is anything diminished of his life, but it is recorded in a Book…"

This means that whenever God wants to grant longevity to one of His servitudes, He provides the necessary natural and supernatural means for it. Obviously, God's will and demand is above the laws of nature. He is capable of changing ordinary lives and establishing a new system, which would govern the current conventional system, as this has been the case in regards to the miracles that have occurred, such as transformation of cane of Prophet Moses into a dragon, and revival of the dead by Prophet Jesus, in addition to other miracles, which have gone beyond the ordinary developments.

When we study the topic of longevity in the view of Holy Quran, we observe a number of human beings who have had long lives; a prime example of which is the lifetime of Prophet Noah. In the 14^th ayah of Surat Al-Ankabut in Holy Quran, God notes: "Certainly We sent Noah to his people, and he remained with them for a thousand-less-fifty years. Then the flood overtook them while they were wrongdoers."

This ayah clearly points out that Noah's prophet hood has spanned 950 years. In this period, he has promoted monotheism among people. Based on a number of citations, Prophet Noah lived around 2500 years. A number of others, such as Prophet Jesus also have lived long lives.

Thus, it is concluded that longevity is a possible phenomenon; because prudent God can prepare the world of creation in a manner that would make is possible for an individual to live very long. In accordance to biological facts, and the clear references of Holy Quran, some individuals can live very long lives. This is also the case in regard to the life of Imam Mahdi (AS).

Mankind has long aspired to maintain a prosperous life. He has sought a community, which brings about peace, calmness, justice, progress, and prosperity for individuals. All religions and nations are awaiting a savior who will administer justice across the world.

Different religions believe that when mankind goes on a downward spiral and when corruption and injustice becomes widespread, the savior of mankind will emerge, who will reform global chaos. Divine religions have heralded a promising future for mankind and have pointed out that the global conditions will change in favor of the oppressed. Undoubtedly, belief in the savior of mankind is a powerful driving force for movement of mankind toward a better fate.

In Judaism, the Old Testament has spoken of the savior of mankind. Torah has on several occasions heralded the emergence of the savior of mankind.
Also, Christianity and Bible have heralded the emergence of savior of mankind on a number of occasions.

In fact, all divine religions believe in the emergence of savior of mankind.

MR/MG